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In the present study, XRD, SEM/EDS, Raman, EMR/EPR spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were used to analyze the reduction of hematite by the carbonization products of waste activated sludge (WAS) at 500–1000 °C. The reduction process includes the following steps: α-Fe2O3 → Fe2O3 + Fe3O4 (Ttr~500 °C) → Fe3O4 (Ttr~600–700 °C) → FeO → Feamorph. (Ttr~1000 °C). The prevalence of certain phase compositions at different hematite reduction temperatures makes it possible to predict the areas viable for the application of reduced oxides: adsorbents (after Ttr~500 °C) → soft ferromagnetic materials (after Ttr~600–700 °C) → electrically engineered amorphous iron (after Ttr~1000 °C).

It is well known that the number of true truffles in the wild is decreasing. The aim of the study was to develop an effective, simple and affordable method of asci disruption to release black truffle spores. It was shown that the spore release can be achieved by different ways, such as mechanical or biological destruction. Mechanical homogenization of fruiting bodies using an immersion blender in tandem with a ball mill was shown to be effective and led to destruction of at least 85% of asci and release of spores. Also, the first approach we applied was the biological method of spore activation performed by African and grape snails. As a result of digestion of truffle fruiting bodies, the spores not only lost their protective shells, but also changed their morphology, which promoted their germination in vitro. The spores obtained using these two methods are capable of forming mycelial hyphae on nutrient media. The results of our study can be used to prepare inoculum of Tuber spp. and to obtain their pure cultures in agriculture.

Abstract Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) is a versatile tool in plant science, yet its application to non-model species like sunflower demands extensive optimization due to transformation challenges. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the factors that significantly affect the efficiency of Agrobacterium-VIGS in sunflowers. After testing a number of approaches, we concluded that the seed vacuum technique followed by 6 h of co-cultivation produced the most efficient VIGS results. Genotype-dependency analysis revealed varying infection percentages (62–91%) and silencing symptom spreading in different sunflower genotypes. Additionally, we explored the mobility of tobacco rattle virus (TRV) and phenotypic silencing manifestation (photo-bleaching) across different tissues and regions of VIGS-infected sunflower plants. We showed the presence of TRV is not necessarily limited to tissues with observable silencing events. Finally, time-lapse observation demonstrated a more active spreading of the photo-bleached spots in young tissues compared to mature ones. This study not only offers a robust VIGS protocol for sunflowers but also provides valuable insights into genotype-dependent responses and the dynamic nature of silencing events, shedding light on TRV mobility across different plant tissues.

The article presents the results of the study of the value structure of 6-7 years old children. The relevance of the study is caused by the role that childhood has on subsequent human development. The basic values that determine human development are formed at the age of 7 years. However, the study of the value sphere of children presents a number of difficulties - the limited methods and techniques that allow us to explore the value sphere of children, the closeness of the family for scientific research, the insufficient social experience of the child himself, differences in the level of communicative development of children and a number of other difficulties and restrictions. At the same time, the use of various research methods - projective, standardized, observations provides empirical data on the structure of values of 6-7 years old children. Both projective and standardized techniques were used in the study. The results show that the development of the value sphere in children 6-7 occurs very unevenly: from complete amorphism to the presence of a clear hierarchical structure. There are confirmed differences in the structure of preferred values among boys and girls. Girls aged 6-7 choose values related to the communicative sphere, while boys of this age are guided by values that are active character.

The work is devoted to the problem of water purification during the flowering of phytoplankton, as well as during salvo pollution by industrial effluents. Anthropogenic load significantly reduc-es the efficiency of purification according to the current technology, therefore, additional post-treatment methods must be used to obtain purified water of the required quality. The purpose of this article is to substantiate the choice of a sorbent within the framework of the considered wa-ter treatment technology, as well as to determine the optimal effective dosage of its dosing. This goal is achieved by implementing the following tasks: analysis of powdered sorption materials used in water treatment technology, selection of an effective dose and entry point of the selected sorption material based on experimental studies, analysis of the results obtained; and develop-ment of technical solutions for the organization of a hybrid purification plant. The most im-portant results are: determination of the optimal dose of coal pulp and the frequency of dosing to maintain the required quality of purified water; and determination of key water quality indica-tors affected by treatment with activated carbon. The achievement of these results made it pos-sible to determine the main technological features of the water purification method and deter-mine the possibility of combining it with other purification technologies. The significance of the results obtained lies in the fact that new technical solutions have been proposed to improve the efficiency of water treatment facilities during a period of drastic changes in water quality at a water source.

The growth of cities and the transformation of their urban structure reflect the impact of numerous factors: economic, political, social, ideological and others. The Ural region with its concentration of larger cities is among the most urbanised in Russia. The paper explores the urbanistic processes in the Ural region at the turn of the 20th–21st centuries in the context general economic, political and moral factors. The methodological basis of the research rests on the theories of urbanisation and urban development, and the evolutionary approach. The study uses analytical, statistical, and comparative methods. The data for 1989–2022 reflecting the dynamics of urbanistic processes is taken from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. The boundaries of the Ural agglomerations are sourced from the official territorial and strategic planning documents. The findings indicate several trends in the transformation of the Ural settlement system and its urbanistic structure, in particular, a qualitative change of the cities’ industrial structure, a decrease in the employment in industry and a fall in the urban population, intensification of agglomerations processes and population tending to concentrate in larger cities. The indicated processes of deurbanisation and deindustrialisation of the Ural region result in the augmented share of larger cities, greater imbalance between size groups of cities. The paper is the first to describe the Ural Urban Square that encompasses four larger urban agglomerations – Ekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Ufa, and Perm. The paper underscores that the Ural Urban Square becomes a place of concentration of investment, human, economic, and social resources, the core of the development of the Ural macroregion and its neighboring territories.

This study aims to investigate the differences in e-learning adoption among university students in Indonesia, Albania, Russia, and Kazakhstan and examine the role of cultural dimensions in explaining these differences. This research draws upon Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory to explore the impact of culture on e-learning adoption in diverse global contexts. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of university students from the four countries, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and multi-group analysis (MGA) techniques. The findings reveal significant differences in e-learning adoption among the four countries, with learner engagement, learning satisfaction, and technology accessibility exhibiting varying levels of influence on e-learning adoption. The multi-group analysis indicates that cultural dimensions partially explain these differences, highlighting the importance of considering cultural factors when examining e-learning adoption in diverse settings. This study fills a gap in cross-cultural e-learning research, offering key insights into factors shaping students’ adoption of online platforms worldwide. The findings emphasize the importance of cultural considerations for educators, policymakers, and e-learning developers in global higher education. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of the complex interplay between culture and e-learning adoption by demonstrating the explanatory power of cultural dimensions. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-03-015 Full Text: PDF

Background. Rationing of health care—restricting patients’ access to potentially beneficial health care interventions through non-market instruments—is a natural feature of all health care systems as they operate under resource constraints. The purpose of this study is to characterize rationing practices and the attitude of doctors themselves to it, with an emphasis on comparing Russia and the United States and on changes in the perception of rationing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications in the medical scientific literature since 1989 on the issue of rationing of medical care. To characterize rationing practices in Russia and the United States and the attitudes of doctors towards them, we used data from published studies and data from semi-structured in-depth interviews with 28 Russian doctors. Results. Despite the increasing frequency of publications related to the topic of resource allocation over the past 20 years, studies using the term “rationing” are rare. Both Russia and the USA have practices of explicit and implicit rationing. In Russia they are more diverse and widespread. In both countries, doctors prefer implicit rationing and do not want open discussion of these issues. The practice of rationing is institutionalized. In Russian medical organizations its most common form is a chain of permissions for the use of resources. But most doctors believe they are not rationing care. The pandemic briefly brought the topic of rationing into the public sphere, but then its discussion was limited. The probable reason is that medical practice during the pandemic was carried out within the previous legal framework. Professional organizations have developed several recommendations for rationing, but their usefulness and level of acceptance by professionals and the public is unclear. Conclusions The transition from implicit to explicit rationing is extremely difficult, but is necessary to ensure equitable patient access to scarce medical resources and the effective functioning of health care systems. A major barrier to the explicit and informed use of rationing instrument is the limited public acceptance of it and the reluctance of professional communities to make public decisions that maximize public benefit by prioritizing access to effective interventions.

Health and physical condition determine the success of students’ social self-development and professional selfrealization. The purpose of the study was to assess the health according to the physical development characteristics and functional condition of the first-year male students of Volgograd State University (n = 79). The results of measurements of students conducted under the guidance of a teacher and recorded in workbooks on physical education were analyzed. The data obtained were processed using mathematical statistics methods. Physical health indicators were test results that determine physical development and functional capabilities of students. High variability of indices evaluating physical development is shown, which indicates significant differences in the physical condition of first-year students. Participation of students in the self assessment of indicators of physical development and functional fitness caused a critical attitude to their health, which was reflected in the formation of a conscious need for physical education. At the same time, some students understand that low indicators are the result of insufficient physical activity of students. It is indicated that in this situation, the main role in reducing the factors of physical inactivity is assigned to compulsory physical education classes provided by the state program, which are more likely to be tasked with the increase of physical activity of students.

Newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) has been widely implemented to enable early detection and intervention. Trisomy 21, commonly known as Down syndrome (DS), poses unique challenges in NBS due to its frequent association with T and/or B cell lymphopenia. The pilot NBS screening program recently conducted in Russia was aimed to identify both severe T and B cell deficiencies by measuring TREC and KREC. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of DS in newborns who participated in the pilot program, assess their TREC and KREC values, and determine the proportion of DS newborns potentially identifiable through T/B lymphopenia NBS. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the data obtained during the pilot NBS program, involving 202,908 newborns from eight regions of Russia. The study identified 157 patients with trisomy 21 among the screened cohort, resulting in a DS birth prevalence of 1:1,284. Median TREC and KREC values did not significantly differ between full-term and pre-term subgroups of DS patients. TREC values in DS newborns were decreased and comparable to those of the extremely preterm newborns. DS newborns also demonstrated significant differences in KREC values as compared to the general cohort regardless of gestational age. Our data suggests abnormalities of T- and B-cell lineages development and requires further investigation. This article highlights the need for increased awareness of the intrinsic immunological defects associated with DS. The findings underscore the importance of continued follow-up and comprehensive support by healthcare teams for individuals with DS.

The class Limnochordia harbors a single cultivated member, the mesophilic Limnochorda pilosa, which was isolated from a meromictic lake. Despite numerous molecular signatures reported in various ecosystems, the ecophysiological versatility of this deeply branched lineage of Firmicutes (Bacillota) remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to use targeted cultivation, based on metagenome-assembled genomes from a deep terrestrial aquifer in Western Siberia, to isolate two new thermophilic members of the class. These isolates, described as Geochorda subterranea gen. nov. sp. nov. and Carboxydochorda subterranea gen. nov. sp. nov. within the Geochordaceae fam. nov., were capable of both anaerobic and aerobic respiration using fumarate and O2, respectively, with simple sugars as electron donors. The cultivated Geochordaceae have demonstrated fermentative growth and degradation of various polymers, including starch, maltose, maltodextrin, xylan, and chitin. The carboxydotrophic C. subterranea sp. nov. exhibited autotrophic growth via the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle, using CO, H2, and formate as electron donors and O2 as an electron acceptor, adding metabolic flexibility to the bacterium in the nutrient-depleted “deep biosphere” and supporting the possibility of aerobic metabolism in the deep subsurface. The broad physiological potential deciphered from physiological experiments and comparative genomic data explains the widespread distribution of uncultivated members of the class Limnochordia in various ecosystems, where they can oxidize complex organic substrates through both aerobic and anaerobic respiration, as well as pursue a chemolithotrophic lifestyle through the oxidation of H2 or CO.

BACKGROUND: The knee joint is a frequently visualized anatomical region in clinical practice. Accurate interpretation of CT scans necessitates a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and a sound grasp of fundamental technical principles and imaging protocols. To safeguard the patient's well-being, it is of paramount importance to prevent erroneous studies resulting from suboptimal equipment quality, setup issues, and patient positioning. These difficulties can be circumvented by the use of phantoms to pre-adjust the equipment and the provision of training to medical staff in scanning techniques. AIM: The aim of the study was to develop a technique for creating an anthropomorphic medical phantom of the knee joint that would accurately reflect the X-ray density of the corresponding human tissues, thus enabling the use of computed tomography studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The knee joint phantom comprises a series of models representing the femur, tibia, fibula, patella, collateral ligaments, lateral and medial menisci, tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and patellar ligament. Ligament models were 3D-printed from resin, bones were cast from silicone, soft tissues were modeled with a homogeneous structure of silicone-like materials and made by casting into silicone molds. The skin was similarly modeled. In the study, the anode voltage range of the CT scanner varied from 80 to 140 kV, and the slice thickness was equal to 1.25 mm. RESULTS: The developed anthropomorphic knee joint phantom demonstrated the X-ray density of the modeled anatomical structures, with ligaments exhibiting a range of 80–120 units on the Hausfield scale, bones exhibiting a range of 320–370 units, and soft tissues and skin exhibiting a range of 20–60 units. The use of additive technologies made it possible to achieve a high degree of similarity between the phantom forms and the knee joint. Further research may be directed towards the creation of a more complex model of bone tissue, comprising a separate cortical layer and spongy substance. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an anthropomorphic knee phantom allows for the acquisition of high-quality CT images without the need for prior scanning of patients.

BACKGROUND: A wide range of indicators and examination methods in acute myocardial infarction complicates their interpretation, affecting the objectivity and reliability of the final conclusions. In this situation, the results of a multivariate mathematical analysis can serve as a guide, allowing one to determine statistically significant indicators and establish a range of critical values for a particular case. AIM: to establish prognostically significant ranges of global and segmental deformation of the left ventricle using speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction of the left ventricle, who have undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention, at the time of discharge from the hospital and in the long-term period. METHODS: Using speckle-tracking technology, the echocardiographic data were analyzed at the time of discharge and on the second year for 144 patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction of the left ventricle who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. In the post-infarction period, 10 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and 15 patients underwent stress echocardiography. RESULTS: Using the tree construction method, the critical values of 7 ultrasound parameters were identified (for the left ventricle — ejection fraction, end-systolic volume index, global longitudinal and circular strains, for the right ventricle — tricuspid S’, global longitudinal strain, free wall strain), which predict a repeat revascularization with a probability of 89.4%. The identification of the possible areas of myocardial fibrosis in the remote period by speckle-tracking echocardiography has a sensitivity of 46–57%, specificity of 68–76%, and a negative predictive value of 74–87% relative to the gold standard detection of post infarction scarring by magnetic resonance imaging. According to the results of stress-echocardiography, new zones of local contractility impairment registered after exercises were not accompanied by changes in the segmental longitudinal deformation. CONCLUSION: The results of echocardiographic screening using speckle-tracking technology in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction of the left ventricle have high prognostic significance in assessing the likelihood of repeated revascularization at the time of discharge and diagnostic information value for verifying post-infarction fibrous changes in the long-term period.

Background. Сurrently, much attention is paid to the quality of patients, which is a promising direction of life, allowing to put a complete and objective picture of the disease, determine the most stable method of treatment, and evaluate its results. Aims. To evaluate the effectiveness of complex therapy in patients with onychomycosis and mycosis of the feet with concomitant non-alcoholic severe liver disease (NAFLD) using a modified questionnaire-questionnaire of the combined index of quality of life (QL-Index). Methods. The combined index of quality of life (QL-Index) was determined in patients with onychomycosis and mycosis of the feet with with concomitant NAFLD before and after complex therapy. Results. Analysis of the results of assessing the presence of a combined index of quality of life in 117 patients with onychomycosis and foot mycosis with concomitant NAFLD before treatment showed that the presence of onychomycosis and mycosis of the feet in the majority of respondents has a strong impact on the lives of the respondents (69.2%). After the complex treatment, according to the results of the combined questionnaire-questionnaire of the quality of life index, it was revealed that social activity in patients with onychomycosis and foot mycosis with concomitant NAFLD increased, and the psycho-emotional state improved. The quality of life of patients has improved, which significantly increased the effectiveness of this complex treatment. Conclusion. The high efficacy and safety of complex therapy, which included the use of the systemic antimycotic itraconazole in combination with external antifungal drugs, a hepatoprotector and a prebiotic in patients with onychomycosis and mycosis of the feet with concomitant NAFLD.

The study is devoted to the topic of Arabic generic derivatives formed from nouns аccording to Masdar models of four-letter bases from names of states, organizations, their abbreviations, which is little represented in the academic literature. The authors set a goal to analyze and generalize the features and methods of secondary root formation in the Arabic on the material of the lexical corpus of derivatives grouped by semantic and word-formation identity. The data source was the texts of modern Arabic-language media. Sixty-six lexemes-neologisms with the general semantics of the process or state and formed according to the Masdar models of the fourletter basis were selected by the continuous sampling method. The selected lexemes were examined in asynchronous aspect and were subjected to lexico-morphological analysis. It was concluded that all the studied neologisms were formed on a morphological basis. The leading method is lexical derivation, which can proceed with the participation of word-forming formants, phonetic expanders, gemination of the root element, and without suffixation. All lexical derivatives were formed along the traditional path known and described by historians of the Arabic. The process examined in the article turned out to be analogous to the hypothesis of the formation of three-letter bases based on two root consonants accepted in Arabic studies. This allowed the authors suggest that new fourletter bases appear from existing three-letter roots, which over time can potentially become the base of four-letter roots, which will lead to the expansion of Arabic roots and the formation of new word-formation nests.

This study investigates the impact of economic sanctions on exchange rate volatility, with a specific focus on the role of foreign reserves in mitigating these effects across 21 countries from 2002 to 2022. Employing advanced econometric models, including Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) and Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), our analysis identifies a positive correlation between economic sanctions and increased exchange rate volatility. A significant finding is that high reserves-to-GDP ratios do not fully stabilize exchange rate volatility in the presence of economic sanctions, challenging the traditional view of reserves as reliable stabilizers. It also demonstrates an inverse relationship between heightened reserves-to-GDP ratios and economic growth during periods of sanctions, indicating that larger reserves may reflect economic difficulties rather than strength. These findings implicitly call for a reevaluation of economic policies in favor of adopting strategies that mitigate global economic uncertainties. Supported by previous literature, the importance of international cooperation and governance that foster economic and trade diversification is highlighted. This approach can provide alternative sources of foreign exchange and reduce economic vulnerability to sanctions, enhancing overall economic resilience and stability.

Background. Searching markers of endothelial dysfunction, the pathogenetic basis of arterial hypertension and the entire cascade of diseases of the cardiovascular system, is an urgent task. The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation of markers of endothelial dysfunction – highly sensitive C-reactive protein and cerebral natriuretic propeptide with the main laboratory parameters in hypertension in conditions of comorbid pathology. Materials and methods. The study involved 3 groups of 45 patients aged 40 to 69 years with arterial hypertension: in the first group in combination with cardiorenal syndrome, in the second – with metabolic and cardiorenal syndromes, in the third – with chronic renal pathology; the control group included 38 patients aged 40 to 63 years without a cardiovascular history. Research methods: anthropometry with calculation of body mass index; auscultative blood pressure tonometry; ultrasound examination of the heart; laboratory examination of general blood analysis, urine, biochemical blood analysis, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, cerebral natriuretic propeptide, cystatin C, blood lipid spectrum, albuminuria. Results. The presence in patients of chronic heart failure with intermediate and reduced ejection fraction, confirmed by values of cerebral natriuretic propeptide above 145 pg/ml and chronic kidney disease with moderate (C3a A2) and significantly reduced renal function (C3b A2) indicate the course of chronic type cardiorenal syndrome in 62,1% of the first and second 82,2% of the second group. In patients of the third group, chronic kidney disease is accompanied by preserved (C1 A0) and slightly reduced renal function (C2 A1-2). High values of highly sensitive C-reactive protein were diagnosed in patients of the first and second groups, minimal values in the control group; in patients of the first and second groups, the dependence of the marker concentration on blood pressure and atherogenic lipids was revealed. There was no significant correlation between the concentration of cerebral natriuretic propeptide and the level of decreased renal function. The linear dependence of the values of highly sensitive C-reactive protein and brain natriuretic propeptide in patients of the first and second groups was revealed. Conclusions. The level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein is closely correlated with blood pressure, atherogenic lipid fraction and cerebral natriuretic propeptide, more pronounced in patients with combined pathology. In individuals with low cardiovascular risk, an increased level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein can be considered as a marker of endothelial dysfunction and a predictor of the development of cardiovascular diseases. The level of cerebral natriuretic propeptide does not depend on the state of renal function.

Background. Until now, acute pancreatitis remains in the focus of attention in modern abdominal surgery, which is due to the preservation of a high level of morbidity and mortality, as well as high treatment costs. The purpose of the study was to establish the role of the impaired functional state of the intestine in the pathogenesis of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in acute pancreatitis. Materials and methods. 36 patients with acute pancreatitis were studied, divided into 2 groups: the first (n = 20) – moderate severity; the second (n=16) – severe. The patients underwent complex conservative therapy. Methods: assessment of the functional status of the intestine, determination of the level of toxins, the severity of oxidative processes and phospholipase activity. The observation period is up to 5 days. Results. In patients with acute pancreatitis, there were signs of the development of a systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome. Its most significant manifestations were expressed in the syndrome of endogenous intoxication. Thus, the toxicity index for albumin increased significantly. The syndrome of endogenous intoxication is especially pronounced in patients with severe pancreatitis. Thus, the value of the albumin toxicity index increased 6.94 times in comparison with the norm after a day, 7.68 times after three days, 6.0 times after five days (p < 0.05). The difference in the values in the groups, according to the terms of control, was expressed in 1.38, 1.78 and 1.90 times (p < 0.05). In acute pancreatitis, the level of toxins and hydrophilic nature increased significantly. The phenomena of endogenous intoxication in acute pancreatitis were associated with significant manifestations of oxidative stress and phospholipase activity. It turned out that in patients of the second group, these phenomena were expressed to a much greater extent. Thus, the level of diene conjugates in the blood plasma of patients increased more by 2.38, 2.50 and 2.39 times (p < 0.05), respectively. The difference in the values of this indicator in the groups was significant and was expressed in 32.7, 18.0 and 34.6%, respectively, at the stages of observation. Significantly higher (by 21.9, 27.3 and 34.8%) in this group was the activity of phospholipase A2. Violation of the intestinal barrier function – manifestations of enteral distress syndrome - in patients with acute pancreatitis was registered on the basis of data obtained by analyzing data from a number of tests. It was found that there is a correlation between the manifestations of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and disorders of the functional status of the intestine (r = 0.757–0.948, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Enteral distress syndrome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in acute pancreatitis. Violation of the intestinal barrier function leads to flooding of the body with toxins. In the pathogenesis of intestinal lesions, membrane stabilization triggers play a significant role – excessive activity of membrane lipid peroxidationand excessive activity of phospholipase A2.